[Turkey] Physical Attacks Against 2 Transsexuals in Ankara
Two transsexual sex workers in Ankara were subjected to continuous rape and physical attacks by two perpetrators. The two perpetrators were arrested by the police.
On 31 March 2012, two clients came to the house of two transsexual sex workers and had sex with them. However, they rejected to give money for the service. Also, they stole their mobile phones and approximately 1000 TL (450 Eur). The perpetrators also threatened the sex workers not to inform the police otherwise they would kill them. The attackers had two big "choppers". The victims did not inform the police because of their fear.
On 8th of April, the same perpetrators again came to their house and forcibly entered the house threatening them. They raped the two transsexuals, stole their 2000 TL (900 Eur) and 3 mobile phones. They also stole the cars of the sex workers.
After this incident, the victims informed the police and after a week long investigation, the police arrested the two perpetrators.

[Russia] First Fines for Promotion of Homosexuality in Russia
For the first time participants in actions aimed at the promotion of homosexuality among minors have been penalized in Russia’s Arkhangelsk Region, the regional prosecutor’s office reported on its website on Wednesday.

[Australia] Trans action group takes shape
A new Australian trans health action group based in Queensland held its first meeting in Brisbane last week to discuss anxiety and depression problems linked to gender identity issues.

[AK, USA] Alaska DMV Must Allow Sex Designation Change
An Alaska Superior Court judge has ordered that state’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to adopt a regulation establishing a procedure for changing the sex designation on a driver’s license. In a March 12 ruling, Judge Michael Spaan found that the lack of an established policy facilitating such a change violated the state constitutional privacy rights of a transgender individual, who would be placed in the position of “outing” themselves as transgender every time they are asked to show their license.

[CA, USA] Transgender man begins walk across America
Mikal Chall is just an ordinary transgender man from Michigan, but he has a big quest: equality. Putting one foot in front of the other and towing his handcrafted trailer behind him, he left San Francisco on April 23 on his journey across the "land of the free" to Washington, D.C.

[MI, USA] Ferndale Police Department talks transgender
Citing a history of violence against transgender people in the prison system, the Los Angeles Police Department has announced plans for a 24-bed holding facility for transgender detainees in their women's facility. It is the first of its kind in the nation according to The LA Times.

[NY, USA] Feds honor 66-year-old East Flatbush transgender woman
East Flatbush resident Victoria Cruz, a transgender woman who has been “out” since grade school, is a Justice Department 2012 pick as one of the nation’s top crime fighters.
The 66-year-old Latina, known simply as “Vicki,” advises abuse victims from across the city based on lessons she learned surviving years of sexual and physical torment during an era when homophobia was rampant.